Getting drafted a dream come true for BC's Anthony Melchionda

Who could blame Anthony Melchionda (right, photo courtesy BC) for falling asleep before hearing his name called during the Major League draft Tuesday night.

The recent Boston College graduate had kept himself busy all day playing golf and working out at the gym to keep his mind off of baseball, and was in need of some sleep. But just as he was dozing off on his couch, the chaos broke out.

“All of a sudden my phone blew up and my whole family started going crazy,” Melchionda said. “It still hasn’t clicked. It was just an overwhelming experience.”

The infielder initially found out he was drafted by a close friend, who had sent him a text. A few minutes later, he received a call from the St. Louis Cardinals, who had selected him in the 14th Round.

“It’s a pretty incredible feeling,” the Braintree native said. “I’ve been looking back on it, it’s only been a day, but to think about coming back this past year to play as a senior — it was a bit of a disappointment not getting the call on draft day last year, but I think it was a blessing in disguise to come back and get my (communications) degree.”

As he prepares to enter the Cardinals’ farm system, he knows he still has room for improvement.

“Scouts have said that power and speed are the two areas that I’ll need to advance in.”